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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- The Trinidad and Tobago cabinet has approved the sum of $289.6 million (US$45.4 million) to be used in the fight against crime in the country.

Minister of National Security, Jack Warner, made the announcement at a post-cabinet news conference on Thursday.

The minister said the sum will be used to development and enhance the police service in a number of ways.

National Secutiry Minister, Jack Warner

“There will be the fulltime establishment of 5,000 Special Reserve Police Officers (SRPs). We shall also establish police community support groups in all nine police divisions. These SRPs will be placed in all nine divisions. We will also be introducing new information technology solutions to aid in crime detection and will be purchasing 300 vehicles for police officers. This would allow officers to take home the vehicles,” Warner said.

Warner explained that $60 million will be spent on the recruitment of the SRP officers. He said the officers would be trained and be ready to take up their posts by December. He said $5.1 million would be spent on community support and $164.5 million will be spent on information technology and on the E99 Unit.

The 300 new vehicles will cost $60 million.

“Cabinet has also approved vehicle maintenance policy to maintain the vehicles,” Warner explained.

He also said there will the establishment of a database to allow for the registration of all weapons in Trinidad and Tobago. This will be done through the assistance of the United Nations.

On the issue of a new crime plan, the minister explained that the plan will be given to the prime minister and the National Security Council.

“Following this, elements will be given to the public. This country shall begin a new era of safety and security,” Warner said.

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